miR-210 expression in PBMCs from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: In hypoxic conditions, miRNA-210 plays an important role in regulating the expression of hypoxia-inducing factor-1α (HIF-1α) and the differentiation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells, and this may be involved in the development and function of the immune system. AIMS: This study was to investigate the miR-210 expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its association with the clinical and laboratory features of both diseases. METHODS: Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect miR-210 expression levels in PBMCs from 35 patients with SLE, 38 patients with RA, and 35 healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, the miR-210 expression levels were significantly increased in patients with SLE (P = 0.001) and there was increased significantly expression of miR-210 in SLE with pleuritis (Z = -2.345, P = 0.019) and anti-SSB/La-positive group (Z = -2.076, P = 0.038). However, we have not found the significant correlation between the miR-210 levels and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score (r s = 0.091, P = 0.602). Although, no significant difference between miR-210 levels in RA patients and those in healthy controls was found (Z = -1.226, P = 0. 220). There was a significant decreased expression of miR-210 in active RA patients than inactive RA patients (Z = -4.011, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dysregulation of miR-210 levels in SLE and RA patients suggests that miR-210 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

US Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study: intake of nutritional and toxic elements, 1991-96.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted the Total Diet Stuty (TDS) annually since 1961. The TDS is designed to monitor the US food supply for levels of toxic chemical contaminants (pesticide residues, industrial chemicals and toxic elements) and nutritional elements. Foods are generally collected four times a year, once from each of four regions of the country. The foods are prepared table-ready before being analysed. From the results of the TDS, dietary, intakes of these analytes are estimated for selected age-sex groups in the US population. This paper reports on the dietary intake of 10 nutritional and four toxic elements based on measurements made in foods collected in the TDS between 1991 and late 1996. Average daily intakes were estimated for 14 age-sex groups in the US population, as well as the contribution of specific food groups to total intakes. For most nutritional elements, teenage boys and adult males had the highest daily intakes. Intakes by infants were below the intake references for seven of 10 nutritional elements, and young girls and women had inadequate intakes of at least half the nutritional elements. Intakes by children between 2 and 10 years of age, teenage boys, and adult males met or exceeded the reference intakes for the majority of nutritional elements. Intakes by all population groups were well below the reference intakes for all toxic elements.

Recurrent Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: case report and long-term followup.

This is the seventh reported case of recurrent Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. The report documents the initial onset in a boy 4 years of age with healing clinically and radiographically. The boy experienced recurrence of disease at 8 years of age with last followup at 20 years of age. Tests related to blood hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis and certain genetic factors relevant to osteonecrosis of the bone are reported.

Dietary arsenic intakes in the United States: FDA Total Diet Study, September 1991-December 1996.

The FDA has conducted the Total Dietary Study (TDS), a yearly market basket programme, since 1961. It is designed to monitor the levels of toxic chemical contaminants (pesticide residues, industrial and elemental contaminants) and essential nutrients in the US food supply. It also provides information on trends in dietary concentrations and exposures for the general population. Foods are collected from retail stores once a year from each of four geographic areas of the US and are analysed either after preparation/cooking or as ready-to-eat. The latest TDS (1991-1997) data show that arsenic (inorganic and organic, > or = 0.03 ppm) was found in 63 (24%) of the 261-264 foods/mixed dishes analysed. The highest concentration was found in seafood, followed by rice/rice cereal, mushrooms, and poultry. Based on the United States Department of Agriculture's 1987-1988 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, the estimated daily total arsenic average intakes, in microgram/day, are: 2 for infants, 23 for toddlers, 20 for 6-year-old children, 13 for 10-year-old children, 15 for 14-16-year-old boys, 21 for 14-16-year-old girls, 57 for 25-30-year-old men, 28 for 25-30-year-old women, 47 for 40-45-year-old men, 37 for 40-45-year-old women, 92 for 60-65-year-old men, 72 for 60-65-year-old women, 69 for 70-year-old men, and 42 for 70-year-old women. Of the estimated total arsenic intakes for infants, 42% arise from seafood and 31% from rice/rice cereals. Of the estimated total arsenic intakes, seafood contributes 76-90% for children (2-10-year olds), 79-85% for 14-16-year olds, and 89-96% for adults (> or = 25-30-year olds); rice/rice cereals contributes 4-8% for children, 8% for 14-16-year olds, and 1-4% for adults (> or = 25-30-year olds).

Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of Pipkin fractures fixated with titanium implants: a report of two cases.

Previous studies have documented the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating and following up the development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. One of the limitations of this technique, however, is the distortion that is encountered with ferromagnetic screws. A traumatic fracture to the femoral head is a risk factor for avascular necrosis. The addition of internal fixation, which is often required in Pipkin-type fractures of the femoral head, creates significant image distortion on magnetic resonance scans used for postoperative follow-up. The artifact and field distortion present in magnetic resonance imaging when ferromagnetic screw fixation is used has been avoided at our institution by the use of titanium hardware. The authors, therefore, recommend the use of titanium screws in the fixation of Pipkin-type fractures in the hip joint.

Complications of CT-guided biopsy of the spine and sacrum.

This study reviews the results of 94 computed tomography (CT)-guided Craig needle biopsies of the spine and sacrum performed at one center. An indication for biopsy in this study was prompted by abnormal findings identified by one or more of the following diagnostic modalities: radiography, CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or bone scanning. These patients then underwent CT-guided Craig needle biopsy of the spine and sacrum for further evaluation. There were 1 biopsy of the cervical spine, 19 of the thoracic spine, 66 of the lumbar spine, and 8 of the sacrum. Biopsy sensitivity was 94.5% and specificity was 96.8%. This accuracy compared with other diagnostic modalities showed biopsy to be the gold standard for diagnosis of spine or sacral lesions. Of the 94 cases reviewed, 6 complications were noted. All complications were acute in nature and included 1 aortic puncture, 2 psoas punctures with associated psoas hematomas, 1 biopsy of an incorrect level, and 2 aborted procedures secondary to patient discomfort. No infections or neurological sequelae were seen. Although the benefits of CT-guided biopsy over open biopsy have been shown previously, this review demonstrates it is not without significant risk.

Knee injuries in young athletes.

The differential diagnosis of children's knee injuries includes not only the typical adult injuries to bone, ligament, and cartilage, but also growth plate injuries. Bony contours are not as well defined in children due to incomplete ossification, and the practitioner must look for certain types of injuries based on the history and the physical findings because radiographic signs may be difficult or impossible to see.